Hertz - Hertz Points - Useless?

Somebody out there - Shoot straight.

I need to be convinced that my hertz points are not useless.

They never have the car I want, at the airport I need...:mad:
It appears that I cannot use Hertz points for anything but hertz coupons...:td:
Their customer service is horrendous. :confused:
The rolling/expiring 18 month rule is larceny.:eek:

I spent so many years 100% loyal to hertz. Was President's circle for 4 years straight and missed by a few rentals on 3 other occassions. Tried saving up to get that "cool" rental for a golf trip, that "cool" rental for my honeymoon destinations (Oahu, Kauai, and SFO on the way back stateside), only to argue with the customer service rep who clearly did not understand that I needed multiple coupons/redemptions all at the same time for those three locations and I wanted a specific vehicle at each location (which I looked up months in advance).

So - what did I get out of this hassle? I ended up renting from a local Oahu Jeep Rental place, I also rented from a local Kauai Jeep Rental place, and then picked up a toyota camry at SFO that was very classy for my dinner at The French Laundry to cap off my dream honeymoon. Thanks Hertz - (sarcastic).

Hardly the corvette I see someone posted about in Hawaii....and how could they be out of EVERY prestige vehicle 4 1/2 months in advance at one of the largest airports (SFO) in the country?

Is this car loyalty program useless? and if you think not, what is the best way for me to spend my 15,000+ Hertz points on. It doesn't even look like I can donate them and... I want to get rid of them or trade for something I might actually use.

I don't find them useless. In fact, I've never not been able to use my points when I wanted to. (I wonder if something's changed recently?)

I spend my points mostly on 1- and 2-day rentals. My most recent use was for a weekend in Denver when all agencies were nearly sold out. About 15 cents per point in value. I've done even better on LGA rentals. I've also done well for one-day HLE rentals in San Francisco, Honolulu, and Chicago.

I have no complaints about Hertz points.

I confirm, I have been using Hertz points quite a few time,s and they seem to be working fine. Specifically in NYC area, I never had an issue renting with points.

These posts always come up.

Not defending Hertz, but often Prestige rentals are sometimes not available very far out. Since they have so few. You could also be trying to rent during the period they're refreshing the fleet. That zeros out the cars until they know what's coming in to replace them.

I almost always use the online links on the website to reserve using points and find that I rarely run into problems.

There is a workaround for the 18 month expiration that I posted on here several times.

I go to Kauai a couple times a year and don't have problems reserving awards, even during the busy periods. The same as Oahu, but I go there less often.

I really think it's something you're doing than lack of availability. Using awards, there are hardly any capacity controls. If it's available for rental, then most likely it's available for awards. Maybe it's your CDP that's zeroing out all the good cars. Does your company restrict you to regular cars only? Maybe you need to try a different CDP like the generic AAA 4.

You can do a trade on The Coupon Connection (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coupon-connection-373/).

Would really like to know what is the workaround for the 18 month expiration policy.

Would really like to know what is the workaround for the 18 month expiration policy.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11930028-post6.html

Wow - New to FT and appreciate the thoughts my post generated...

A few comments:

1. I searched for Hertz comments and points before posting - and didn't find anything to my satisfaction, thus my post. Perhaps I'm searching 'wrong.'

2. Miles used for 1 & 2 day rentals - That's great, I'm glad the car you want is available for 2 days. Have you rented for 4 days up to a week in a market you'd like to spend 4 days to a week in? I got cars in NYC to head to VT for 3 days of ski also (ford escape). I'm talking 5-7 day rentals.

3. Workaround for 18 month - I will read your link.

4. Prestige not available in advance - My honeymoon was July & Aug 07 - I started at prestige and went down from there. I can't imagine they update their fleet at that time. I would guess they update in Nov/Dec/Jan when car makers want to sell excess inventory. I was not happy at all with the inventory they had. I started in October of 06 with flights & hotel, and couldn't finalize a car until about 3-4 months before. I always gave my # which at the time was President's Circle level, can't imagine something in my profile or company affiliation tripped them up...I was TRYING to use as many miles as it would take to get a nice ride.

5. Coupon trade website - Another great tip I will look into.

Off to read about the 18 month work-around. Keep'em coming...

Hardly the corvette I see someone posted about in Hawaii....and how could they be out of EVERY prestige vehicle 4 1/2 months in advance at one of the largest airports (SFO) in the country?


This is not limited to SFO or when you are trying to use points.

You need to check everyday for cars availability as it changes quite often.

I have seen LAX and LAS, which are probably 2 of the biggest rental markets out of the popular prestige vehicles 9 months in advance!

They then start to appear about 6 months out and become SOLD OUT a few months out.

It is very hard to manage a diverse and always changing fleet and I do give Hertz credit for doing this quite well.

But at the same time it is frustrating when you are told that Honolulu has no Mustang Convertibles anymore when booking 9 months out. I rang them and they said the car must be discontinued from that location. I tried to explain that Hawaii and Mustangs....go hand in hand and the website must be wrong..... but gave up..... as the rep was not understanding....

I simply kept checking every few days and about 2 months later I could book a Mustang convertible!

You can do a trade on The Coupon Connection (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coupon-connection-373/).[/QUOTE]


I saw it takes 100 posts to view the C.Connection... That may take a few hours! ;-)

2. Miles used for 1 & 2 day rentals - That's great, I'm glad the car you want is available for 2 days. Have you rented for 4 days up to a week in a market you'd like to spend 4 days to a week in?

No - I value my Hertz points too much to use 'em like that. :) It's not like I'm renting for only two days because the car isn't available for longer.

Four or five days is a Priceline sweet spot. Seven days is generally best booked as a paid rental directly from an agency, using a good promo/discount combination. Eight or nine days can be a good place to use Hertz points if you're in position to do a car swap. Otherwise 8 can generally be had using a "normal" free day code. Nine days is another good Priceline sweet spot if you can't do a car swap.

All of these "rules" are a little different for NYC - there, I'm more likely to use more Hertz points or National Free Days than I would in other markets - partly because of the high rates and partly because a lot of our favorite discount codes don't work in NYC.

No - I value my Hertz points too much to use 'em like that. :) It's not like I'm renting for only two days because the car isn't available for longer.

Interesting - Given all of the mileage runs, deals, and overall 'get out and travel' vibe from FT, I thought more people would do Thurs to Sun/Mon weekend escapes... and with it, try to grab a nice Hertz car on their Hertz points.

But you find no value in using your points this way :confused:

So, back to my primary goal - What is the best way to use my Hertz points...the points "sweet spot" as you may say...(not the online/priceline sweet spots).

...doesn't even look like I can donate them and... I want to get rid of them or trade for something I might actually use.

You can, of course, exchange them for airline miles.

Interesting - Given all of the mileage runs, deals, and overall 'get out and travel' vibe from FT, I thought more people would do Thurs to Sun/Mon weekend escapes... and with it, try to grab a nice Hertz car on their Hertz points.

But you find no value in using your points this way :confused:

So, back to my primary goal - What is the best way to use my Hertz points...the points "sweet spot" as you may say...(not the online/priceline sweet spots).

I've been using them for weekly rentals when I go on vacation with the fam. It's not a Prestige car - but it is full-size. I have never not been able to use my points (summer in either BOS and RDU)

I believe I get more value from Hertz points than from FF miles on the same rental. It's not close.

Interesting - Given all of the mileage runs, deals, and overall 'get out and travel' vibe from FT, I thought more people would do Thurs to Sun/Mon weekend escapes... and with it, try to grab a nice Hertz car on their Hertz points.

But you find no value in using your points this way :confused:

Not usually...it's too easy to find cheap weekend rentals, so I'd rather hold the points. There have been exceptions though: I've done weekend redemptions at LGA/JFK and I recently did one on a peak weekend at DEN when most agencies were out of cars and Hertz wanted $80+ per day.

So, back to my primary goal - What is the best way to use my Hertz points...the points "sweet spot" as you may say...(not the online/priceline sweet spots).

(1) NYC
(2) Short weekday rentals in other high-cost markets where the best PC/CDP combos are of little use
(3) The one-way awards

Other people probably have found other sweet spots besides these...

Wow - All good advice and I appreciate the thoughts/ideas.

Does the "workaround" mentioned above by Tummy and SWG for maintaining Hertz points longer than 18 months really work? Anyone want to share exactly what they did?

Are we able to have multiple electronic certificates out at the same time and then cancel all of them? Hertz hasn't caught on?

Anyone want to elaborate their success with this?

Interesting - Given all of the mileage runs, deals, and overall 'get out and travel' vibe from FT, I thought more people would do Thurs to Sun/Mon weekend escapes... and with it, try to grab a nice Hertz car on their Hertz points.

This is how I generally use my points. 3,000 points for a 4 day Corvette rental, I feel, is a pretty good deal.

On availability, you have to keep in mind that even the big locations have limited prestige cars. Some may have only 1 or 2 of a particular model. Some like LAX or Orlando (which are the two biggest) told me they have about 20 corvettes in the winter, and less than half that in the summer. They get deployed to northern states during the summer.

Does the "workaround" mentioned above by Tummy and SWG for maintaining Hertz points longer than 18 months really work? Anyone want to share exactly what they did?

Are we able to have multiple electronic certificates out at the same time and then cancel all of them?

I only do one at a time, though I haven't tried it for several months. First, first out.

I only do one at a time, though I haven't tried it for several months. First, first out.

Yeah, one at a time seems good. It will automatically use the expiring points first. Since this reminded me, I just tried it with mine and works fine.

I just tried it with mine and works fine.

Did you just do it online and do you need to be a certain status to redeposit the certificate with no penalty (as I am no longer President's circle)...

It does not state and I'd like to be sure before I click the button to "redeem and reserve."

Did you just do it online and do you need to be a certain status to redeposit the certificate with no penalty (as I am no longer President's circle)...

It does not state and I'd like to be sure before I click the button to "redeem and reserve."

Online, no status. (I'm at 9 rentals so probably will get 5* before year is up but no status yet.) I did it with a lot fewer points than you're talking about, but I don't see how that would make a difference. Start with a small amount if you like, but I'm sure there's no difference in the processing of the different awards.

Note, you don't want certificates; you want to do online booking of an award. The "Redeem and Reserve Now" option is what you're looking for. This takes away instantly then redeposits instantly.

be greatful you get points even....in Europe, it's nothing (outside of any Airline miles from CDP used).....

The only complaint I have is that you can't combine award coupons (e.g., The maximum "Free" Rental is one week). This is frustrating that I need to swap cars every 7 days on a 10 or 15 day vacation.

Marriott doesn't make me switch rooms and the airlines do not make me switch planes when I use hotel points or airline miles for an extended vacation!

Get with the program Hertz!!!

It's possible to combine certain coupons (e.g. the dollars off coupons that customer service sometimes sends out for goofups) on reservations, even made online. The way to do it is something like, in the PC field, "2X1234567".

I wonder if that would work the same for award coupons?

p.s. Hertz Points have worked out for me pretty well this year... got a Corvette for a weekend and with my points I'm about to save $450 or so off a 5 day Christmas rental (every car agency in the world hikes their rates sky high for that holiday).

My last five rentals were not ready when I arrived at the Hertz lot. One time the agent said it was because my primary card expired but couldn't explain why my second card wasn't used. The last time the agent said I didn't request Gold service, yet I made my reservation online under my Gold account number. :td: :td: :mad:

Wrote a letter to the VP, US ops over three weeks ago and have left numerous voice messages and I have not had any type of response. :td: :td: :mad:

Hertz, if you are listening you are about to lose one of your loyal customers.

It's possible to combine certain coupons (e.g. the dollars off coupons that customer service sometimes sends out for goofups) on reservations, even made online. The way to do it is something like, in the PC field, "2X1234567".

I wonder if that would work the same for award coupons?



I know you used to be able to combine the one-day (weekend?) award coupons. It was explained on the back of the printed award cert with a similar 1234567X2 scheme. I don't think this works for other awards such as the one-week awards.

Still also have an issue if you want a 10 day award (1 week + 3 day award).

I, too, tend to use my Hertz points for those annoying $80+ / day rentals. I've used it for a week in HI and a week out of LAX, but the same - tends to be 2-3 days at high daily rates b/c you can get a good weekly rate straight from hertz or priceline, etc.

I do wish they'd pile up faster, though. I'm PC and I swear it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to save up for a week rental....

I do wish they'd pile up faster, though. I'm PC and I swear it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r to save up for a week rental....

I second that.

It does take forever. I'm not sure what I'm saving up for, but I'm saving up. ;) I wish I had some opportunities to use the extra 300 point PCs, but I had a gap of rentals and then a personal, for which saving $40 seemed more important than getting more points.

Now, time to email and see if they will grant me 5* status since I've finally made 10 rentals in a year....